Housing for a computer system and a computer system with such a housing

ABSTRACT

A housing for a computer system which can be opened at at least one first housing wall for access into the housing and an opening for an external connecting plug is disposed at a second housing wall and where 1) the housing has a locking device to lock the first housing wall and prevent opening of the housing, the locking device is disposed at the opening for an external connecting plug and is actuatable via an external connecting plug so that the first housing wall is locked when an external connecting plug is inserted into the opening and the first housing wall is unlocked if no external connecting plug is inserted into the opening.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of German Patent Application No. 102012 100 056.5, filed Jan. 4, 2012, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This device relates to a housing for a computer system, where thehousing can be opened at at least one first housing wall for access intothe housing and an opening for an external connecting plug is disposedat a second housing wall and where the housing has a locking device forlocking the first housing wall to prevent opening of the housing.

The disclosure also relates to a computer system with such a housing.

BACKGROUND

Computer systems have electronic components that are current conductingand/or on which an electric voltage is present. When a housing of acomputer system is opened, there is, with improper operation, the dangerof an electric shock (so-called “power hazard” or danger of an electricaccident). Improper operation is given, for example, by the fact thatthe computer system is connected to an external current or voltagesource via an external connecting plug when the housing is open. Thiscan take place, for example, via a current supplying unit (like a powersupply) connected to the supply network (power grid).

High (input) voltages are present in electronic components in thehousing, in particular in computer systems in which the power supply forconverting the grid-side alternating voltage to a supply voltage isdisposed within the housing of the computer system.

It could nonetheless be helpful to provide a safer computer system withrespect to improper operation so that the power hazard for a user isconsiderably reduced or prevented.

SUMMARY

I provide a housing for a computer system which can be opened at atleast one first housing wall for access into the housing and an openingfor an external connecting plug is disposed at a second housing wall andwhere 1) the housing has a locking device to lock the first housing walland prevent opening of the housing, and 2) the locking device isdisposed at the opening for an external connecting plug and isactuatable via an external connecting plug so that the first housingwall is locked when an external connecting plug is inserted into theopening and the first housing wall is unlocked if no external connectingplug is inserted into the opening.

I also provide a computer system including the housing, at least onesystem board and, behind an opening at the second housing wall, a powersupply connector for electric interaction with the external connectingplug.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an arrangement with an externalconnecting plug and a part of a housing of a computer system in a firststate.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of FIG. 1 in a second state.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an arrangement of an externalconnecting plug with a part of a housing.

FIG. 4A shows a sectional view of an arrangement of a connecting plugwith a part of a housing in an alternative example in a first state.

FIG. 4B shows the arrangement of FIG. 4A in a second state.

FIG. 4C shows an alternative example of components of a housing.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 Housing-   2 a, 2 b Housing panel-   3 Housing side wall-   4 Opening for external connecting plug-   5 a, 5 b Bolts-   6 Power supply connector-   7 Connecting plug-   8 a, 8 b Bracket-   9 System board-   12 a, 12 b Groove in housing panel-   13 Groove in housing side wall-   15 a, 15 b First end of bolt-   18 a, 18 b Passage in bracket-   25 a, 25 b Second end of bolt

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that the following description is intended torefer to specific examples of structure selected for illustration in thedrawings and is not intended to define or limit the disclosure, otherthan in the appended claims.

I provide a housing wherein the locking device is disposed at an openingfor an external connecting plug and is actuatable via an externalconnecting plug so that the first housing wall is locked when anexternal connecting plug is inserted into the opening, and the firsthousing wall is unlocked when no external connecting plug is insertedinto the opening.

Such a housing can be opened at the first housing wall only when noexternal connecting plug has been inserted into the opening at thesecond housing wall. Access to the inside of the housing can thus beprevented when an external connecting plug is plugged in and, forexample, electronic components within the housing are supplied withelectric power from outside. Only when the external connecting plug hasbeen pulled out the locking device, does release the first housing wallso that it can be opened. In this way the danger of an electric shockfrom current-conducting components or components on which an electricvoltage is present in the housing interior becomes considerably reducedor prevented.

The locking device is disposed at the opening for the externalconnecting plug and at the same time is coupled to the first housingwall so that the locking device locks the first housing wall as long asan external connecting plug is inserted into the opening.

The terms “first” and “second” housing wall describe different housingwalls of a housing. This means that the first housing wall, for example,extends over a first surface and the second housing wall extends over asecond surface. The two surfaces are not made parallel to each other. Inthe simplest case, the first housing wall can be designed to be almostperpendicular to the second housing wall. For example, the first housingwall can be a side wall of a housing, and the second housing wall can bea rear wall of a housing.

A housing of this kind thus avoids improper operation, which can consistof a computer system housed by the housing being connected to the powergrid even though the housing is open and electronic components thatconduct current and/or at which an electric voltage is present areaccessible for a user. Thus, the danger of an electric shock isconsiderably reduced or even prevented by the housing.

Such a housing is especially advantageous for computer systems in whichthe power supply unit, i.e., the power supply, is integrated into thehousing. The power supply unit can be permanently integrated into thehousing so that it is not removable.

The locking device may comprise at least one bolt which can be movedbetween a first position and a second position, where the bolt is notengaged with the first housing wall in the first position and is engagedwith the first housing wall in the second position.

The bolt itself may mechanically interact with an external connectingplug. Alternatively, at least one coupling element may be providedbetween an external connecting plug and the bolt for positive couplingof an external connecting plug to the bolt.

The bolt may be spring mounted via a flexible element. The bolt is inthe first position when the flexible element is relaxed, i.e., not undertension and can be brought from the first position into the secondposition against a force of the flexible element. The flexible elementcan be any kind of springy element. The advantage of coupling the boltto a flexible element lies in the fact that the bolt automatically movesinto the first position and is held there when an external connectingplug is withdrawn from the opening of the housing. Only if there is amechanical interaction between an external connecting plug and thelocking device, a coupling device or directly with the bolt the bolt isbrought into the second position against the force of the flexibleelement and held there.

As soon as an external connecting plug is removed from the opening, thebolt is forced from the second position back into the first position bythe force of the flexible element. This ensures that the housing isautomatically unlocked when the external connecting plug is removed. Anadditional operation for unlocking is not necessary.

The direction of motion of the bolt from the first position to thesecond position may be a rotary motion. This means that the bolt canswivel between the first and the second position relative to aninsertion motion of the external connecting plug.

Alternatively, the direction of motion of the bolt may be linearlyinclined to the direction of motion of an external connecting pluginserted into the opening. “Linearly inclined” means that the directionof motion of the bolt is not parallel to the direction of motion of theexternal connecting plug. In particular, the direction of motion of thebolt can be virtually perpendicular to the direction of motion of anexternal connecting plug. In both examples with alternative motions ofthe bolt, the motion of insertion of an external connecting plug isconverted to an actuating motion of the bolt to lock or unlock the firsthousing wall.

A computer system may be designed with a housing of the kind asdescribed above where at least one system board of the computer systemand, behind the opening in the second housing wall of the housing, apower supply connector for electric interaction with an externalconnecting plug are disposed in the housing.

The computer system may comprise a power supply unit, i.e., a powersupply disposed in the housing of the computer system, for example, onthe system board. The power supply unit can be fixedly mounted in thehousing of the computer system so that the power supply unit is notremovable. To supply the computer system with electric power, anexternal connecting plug can be inserted through the opening of thehousing and connected with the power supply connector in the housing sothat electric power can be supplied to the computer system from outside.

In particular in the case of a power supply unit integrated in thehousing, A. C. voltage from the power grid, e.g., 230 VAC, can besupplied to the computer system from outside. It is advantageous, inparticular in the last case, to be able to open the housing of thecomputer system at the first housing wall only when the externalconnecting plug of the power grid has been pulled from the housing.Thus, the danger of an electric shock for operating or service personnelfor the computer system is considerably reduced.

The computer system may be a thin client, an all-in-one PC or a mini PC.

Other advantages are disclosed in the following description of theDrawings. The subject-matter is further explained by reference to theDrawings.

FIG. 1 shows an arrangement with an external connecting plug 7 and apart of a housing 1. In FIG. 1, the external connecting plug 7 is notconnected to the housing 1.

The housing 1 has a housing side wall 3 with an opening 4 for theexternal connecting plug 7. A power supply connector 6 for electricinteraction with the connecting plug 7 is furnished in the interior ofthe housing behind the opening 4. The housing 1 can, for example, form ahousing of a computer system (for example, a thin client, all-in-one PCor mini PC), which is supplied with electric power via the externalconnecting plug 7.

In addition, the housing 1 comprises a locking device with two bolts 5 aand 5 b. Bolts 5 a and 5 b are disposed so that they are movable almostperpendicularly to a direction of motion of the external connecting plug7 (see arrows). In particular, the bolt 5 a can be moved from a firstposition shown in FIG. 1 upwardly in the direction of the arrow into asecond position. The bolt 5 b can be moved from the first position shownin FIG. 1 downwardly in the direction of the arrow into a secondposition. Each of bolts 5 a and 5 b has a first end 15 a and 15 b,respectively, which in the first position as in FIG. 1 project into theopening 4 for the external connecting plug. This means that the firstends 15 a and 15 b plunge into the opening 4 so that they can interactmechanically with the connecting plug 7. The second ends 25 a and 25 bof bolts 5 a and 5 b project beyond the housing side wall 3 and serve tolock additional housing walls, as explained below.

The first ends 15 a and 15 b of the bolts 5 a and 5 b in the example inFIG. 1 are provided with angled faces which force the two bolts 5 a and5 b in their relevant direction of motion (see arrows) into the secondposition upon contact with the connecting plug 7. This means that whenthe connecting plug 7 is inserted into the opening 4 at the housing sidewall 3, the bolts 5 a and 5 b are pressed upwardly or downwardly,respectively, via the angled faces 15 a and 15 b.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of FIG. 1, where the connecting plug 7 hasbeen inserted into the opening 4 (see FIG. 1) and the two bolts 5 a and5 b have been moved as explained above. This means that bolts 5 a and 5b are now in a second position which differs from the position inFIG. 1. In particular, the second ends 25 a and 25 b of bolts 5 a and 5b have been moved upwardly or downwardly, respectively. In the positionshown in FIG. 2, the ends 25 a and 25 b serve to lock housing panels orhousing walls, as explained below.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an arrangement with a connecting plug 7inserted into the housing 1 through an opening 4 in a housing side wall3.

In particular, the connecting plug 7 is connected to the power supplyconnector 6 in the interior of housing 1, where the power supplyconnector 6 is mounted on a system board 9.

The bolts 5 a and 5 b were moved from a first position (see FIG. 1) intothe second position shown in FIG. 3 (see also FIG. 2) by connecting plug7 via angled faces at the first ends 15 a and 15 b as explained above.In FIG. 3 the second ends 25 a and 25 b of bolts 5 a and 5 b each plungethrough apertures 18 a and 18 b in brackets 8 a and 8 b of housing 1. Inaddition, the second ends 25 a and 25 b plunge into grooves 12 a and 12b of housing panels 2 a and 2 b of the housing 1.

In the design in FIG. 3, the bolts 5 a and 5 b thus perform a doublelocking function. A first locking results from the fact that the ends 25a and 25 b slip through the brackets 8 a and 8 b. The brackets 8 a and 8b serve to lock the housing interior and can, for example, be solidlyscrewed to the housing side wall 3. The housing 1 is thus protectedagainst access into the housing interior by brackets 8 a and 8 b.

An additional locking function results from the slipping of the secondends 25 a and 25 b into grooves 12 a and 12 b of the outer housingpanels 2 a and 2 b. The housing panels 2 a and 2 b, for example, servefor external aesthetic enclosure of housing 1 and, for example, formplastic design covers. The housing panels 2 a and 2 b can, however, alsocarry out the safety tasks of an external housing covering and a housingenclosure.

The housing panels 2 a and 2 b cannot be opened or removed due tolocking of both the brackets 8 a and 8 b and the panels 2 a and 2 bthemselves through the locking shown in FIG. 3. The housing 1 is thuslocked in the form shown in FIG. 3 so that the housing walls 2 a and 2 band 8 a and 8 b cannot be opened. Access into the housing interior isthus not possible if the connecting plug 7 is plugged in. In particular,access to current-carrying components in the housing interior isprevented when electronic components, for example, the system board 9are supplied in the interior of housing 1 with alternating voltage fromthe power grid via connecting plug 7.

Only when the connecting plug 7 is pulled out and an electric connectionto the power supply connector 6 is disconnected bolts 5 a and 5 b moveback to an original position (see FIG. 1), for example, with the help offlexible elements (not shown) so that locking of the housing panels 2 aand 2 b or the brackets 8 a and 8 b is cancelled. The housing panels 2 aand 2 b can then be, for example, shifted horizontally and removed fromhousing 1. The brackets 8 a and 8 b can be separated from the housingside wall 3 and removed, for example, toward the top or toward thebottom so that the housing interior is opened.

FIG. 4A shows another example of locking of a bracket 8 a on housing 1via a locking device, which likewise comprises a bolt 5 a. In contrastto the preceding examples, the bolt 5 a in FIG. 4A is nottranslationally movable, but rather rotationally movable. This meansthat bolt 5 a can be swiveled about a predetermined axis of rotation.The bolt 5 a has a first end 15 a with an angled face and a second end25 a with a locking pin or tooth. The locking pin is designed to slipthrough an aperture 18 a in bracket 8 a into a groove 13 in the housingside wall 3 and in this way to lock the bracket 8 a.

Similar to the examples in FIGS. 1-3, the bolt 5 a in FIG. 4A can alsobe operated via a connecting plug 7, which can be inserted into theopening 4 in the housing side wall 3. In FIG. 4A, the connecting plug 7is only partly inserted into the housing 1 and does not yet interactwith the bolt 5 a. Thus, the bolt 5 a is held in a first position,optionally with the assistance of a flexible element (not shown). Inthis first position, the bracket 8 a can still be freely moved andaligned at housing 1.

In FIG. 4B, the connecting plug 7 is completely inserted into thehousing 1 and the bolt 5 a actuated at the first end 15 a via the angledface so that bolt 5 a is swiveled into a second position. In the secondposition the second end 25 a of the bolt 5 a with its locking pin slipsthrough the aperture 18 a in bracket 8 a and slips into the groove 13 inthe housing side wall 3. The bracket 8 a is locked and can no longer beremoved from housing 1. FIG. 4B represents a state in which theconnecting plug 7 electrically interacts with a power supply connectorin the housing interior (see FIG. 3).

Another alternative of locking of a bracket 8 a of housing 1 isschematically shown in FIG. 4C. In this case, locking is produced inthat a first end 25 a of a bolt 5 a (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) is madehook-shaped and can engage in a groove or a passage 18 a in bracket 8 a.The bracket 8 a can as an example be also locked in the manner shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B.

A locking device of the kind has the advantage that a housing of acomputer system can only be opened when an electric connecting plug hasbeen pulled out. This prevents electric power from being supplied toelectronic components in the housing interior when the housing isopened. Thus, the danger of electric shock is considerably reduced orprevented.

In examples not shown, the locking device can be alternativelyactuatable by different connecting plugs. The locking device mayautomatically lock the housing when at least one of the plurality ofconnecting plugs has been plugged in and only releases the housing whenall of the connecting plugs have been pulled out.

Although the apparatus and methods have been described in connectionwith specific forms thereof, it will be appreciated that a wide varietyof equivalents may be substituted for the specified elements describedherein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure asdescribed in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A housing for a computer system which canbe opened at at least one first housing wall for access into the housingand an opening for an external connecting plug is disposed at a secondhousing wall and where 1) the housing has a locking device to lock thefirst housing wall and prevent opening of the housing, and 2) thelocking device is disposed at the opening for an external connectingplug and is actuatable via an external connecting plug so that the firsthousing wall is locked when the external connecting plug is insertedinto the opening and the first housing wall is unlocked if no externalconnecting plug is inserted into the opening; the locking device furthercomprises at least one bolt movable between a first position and asecond position, where the bolt is out of engagement with the firsthousing wall in the first position and is in engagement with the firsthousing wall in the second position; the bolt is spring mounted via aflexible element and is in the first position when the flexible elementis not under tension and can be brought from the first position into thesecond position against a force of the flexible element.
 2. A computersystem comprising the housing of claim 1, at least one system board and,behind the opening at the second housing wall, a power supply connectorfor electric interaction with the external connecting plug.
 3. Thecomputer system of claim 2, where the external connecting plug isinserted into the opening at the second housing wall and the firsthousing wall is locked.
 4. A housing for a computer system which can beopened at at least one first housing wall for access into the housingand an opening for an external connecting plug is disposed at a secondhousing wall and where 1) the housing has a locking device to lock thefirst housing wall and prevent opening of the housing, and 2) thelocking device is disposed at the opening for an external connectingplug and is actuatable via an external connecting plug so that the firsthousing wall is locked when an external connecting plug is inserted intothe opening and the first housing wall is unlocked if no externalconnecting plug is inserted into the opening; the locking device furthercomprises at least one bolt movable between a first position and asecond position, where the bolt is out of engagement with the firsthousing wall in the first position and is in engagement with the firsthousing wall in the second position; wherein in the first position thebolt projects with a first end into the opening for an externalconnecting plug and can be pressed into the second position upon contactwith the external connecting plug.
 5. The housing of claim 4, whereinthe first end of the bolt has an angled face for mechanical interactionwith the external connecting plug.
 6. The housing of claim 5, whereindirection of motion of the bolt from the first position into the secondposition is a rotary motion or linearly inclined to the direction ofmotion of the external connecting plug being inserted into the opening.7. The housing of claim 1, wherein, to open the housing, the firsthousing wall is swivel-mounted with respect to the housing or can becompletely removed from the housing.
 8. The housing of claim 5, wherein,to open the housing, the first housing wall is swivel-mounted withrespect to the housing or can be completely removed from the housing. 9.The housing of claim 4, wherein, to open the housing, the first housingwall is swivel-mounted with respect to the housing or can be completelyremoved from the housing.
 10. The computer system of claim 2, which is athin client, an ail-in-one PC or a mini PC.
 11. The computer system ofclaim 3, which is a thin client, an all-in-one PC or a mini PC.
 12. Thehousing of claim 1, wherein in the first position the bolt projects witha first end into the opening for an external connecting plug and can bepressed into the second position upon contact with the externalconnecting plug.
 13. The housing of claim 6, wherein, to open thehousing, the first housing wall is swivel-mounted with respect to thehousing or can be completely removed from the housing.
 14. A housing fora computer system which can be opened at at least one first housing wallfor access into the housing and an opening for an external connectingplug is disposed at a second housing wall and where 1) the housing has alocking device to lock the first housing wall and prevent opening of thehousing, and 2) the locking device is disposed at the opening for anexternal connecting plug and is actuatable via an external connectingplug so that the first housing wall is locked when an externalconnecting plug is inserted into the opening and the first housing wallis unlocked if no external connecting plug is inserted into the opening;the locking device further comprises at least one bolt movable between afirst position and a second position, where the bolt is out ofengagement with the first housing wall in the first position and is inengagement with the first housing wall in the second position, wherein,to open the housing, the first housing wall is swivel-mounted withrespect to the housing or can be completely removed from the housing.